Over 2 years ago I signed up for something called Honor Flight Austin. This is a non-profit non-govt gesture to send qualifying military veterans and their spouse to Washington DC for 2 days all expenses paid. At that time, I got a call telling me that I lived outside Austin's group of counties and Bell county was the closest county they chose veterans from, but I sent him a sat image showing him I lived less than 7 miles from the Coryell/Bell county line. (s the crow flies, it's about 4 miles). He called back the next day and said, "that's close enough Sgt York..we'll put you on the list, but we are currently working thru WW2 and Korean War vets, then we will begin with Vietnam War vets"
To be honest, I had forgotten all about it until the lady called me today and told me wife and I would leave Austin Sept 19 for DC and return on 21st. I almost did not answer the phone because I usually don't answer calls I don't recognize. Won't lie...I was in tears before the phone call was done. I just didn't ever think I'd live long enough for it to happen. I've never been to DC and to be able to go with a group of My Brothers, is an honor I can't describe. Icing on the cake is I get to take my wife with me, tho she is not quite as excited as i am. She's never been on an airliner and the closest she came was when I coaxed her into riding with me at a county fair in a Robison helicopter around the city of Liberty Texas. The whole flight may, have lasted 15 minutes. The indentations of her fingertips are still in that pilot's seat cushions. For us to be able to experience the flight and the US Capitol together is beyond my ability to describe.
Enjoy it. Sadly much of D.C. is a dumpster fire. I won't post my thoughts on that, as it not be p.c. Enjoy the trip. and maybe have your wife down a few nips before take off, so your arm doesn't have her hand imprinted on it the whole trip. Oh, one last thing, the TSA suck so plan on wanting to kill someone while going through that dog and pony show. Review the long list of banned items, and what items you can have in checked bags and not in a carry on. Nail clippers are one if it has a nail file on it. &%$# took my good ones.
[This message has been edited by 1987RedFiero (edited 07-17-2025).]
If you have the opportunity to see anything, and want some ideas of things to see (if it's not already all planned out for you), let me know... I lived there as a kid and used to work around there as well. Anyway... really happy you're going to have the opportunity. I assume you'll (obviously) be spending some time at the Vietnam Memorial... it's a pretty somber place, to be fair. The WW2 memorial has a lot of meaning, but it was so long ago that it's more a testament to a nation's sacrifice than anything else. The Korean War memorial is a little bit haunting... as you've probably seen in pictures, statues of soldiers "in the moment" with all the emotions that come with it.
... the Vietnam Memorial though, it's really, really brutal to walk through. I consider myself a pretty tough guy, but I can't honestly spend any amount of time (other than trying to walk by it quickly) without getting worked up. The wall is covered top to bottom with names and it just hits you... as I'm sure it will be for you and your brothers as well. I know it's something you're looking forward to, but I know it'll also be a little emotionally difficult too. I'm sure you know... but there's laminated books on the outskirts that you can use to look up your fellow soldiers as well.
There's also a guy who mans a military memorabilia shop at the edge of the shimmering pool, he's a Vietnam vet too... and he gives stuff to fellow Vietnam vets from purchases that other tourists make.
Anyway, I'm happy for you... and hope you take a lot of pictures.
Congratulations! You deserve this, and a lot more. I would say "thank you", but that just doesn't cover it.
Regarding the TSA, rules are being relaxed, and are apparently changing rapidly. Might not be as much of a PITA as it has been. (I haven't flown since July of 2001, so I can't speak through experience.)
Enjoy it, don't let the politics ruin it and enjoy the history and the architecture.
I was at Quantico for Sergeant's School last year, my roommate and I decided to have a morning run around the National Mall and take photos. It was a great experience and one I'll never forget.
Congratulations on being chosen for this experience. If anyone deserves such an adventure, you should be at the top of the totem pole. I've been to DC and have no desire to go back but, it is something everyone should do at least once. Again, Congrats.
Thanks! I think it's pretty much going to be a planned/canned tour, going where they say and I don't think there will be much time for individual sightseeing but I do want to make it to the Iwo jima memorial, Arlington, and Vietnam memorial. I have been to the 'traveling wall' with my father in the late 90s in East Texas so I know what to expect, and it was hard even then. I don't think he understood.. To stand in front of that big wall with my personal friends' names on it, I'm not sure I can do alone so I'm glad Jane is going too.. Hard, just thinking about it. So long ago, but I see their faces.
Originally posted by maryjane: ... To stand in front of that big wall with my personal friends' names on it, I'm not sure I can do alone so I'm glad Jane is going too.. Hard, just thinking about it. So long ago, but I see their faces.
Originally posted by maryjane: I don't think he understood.. To stand in front of that big wall with my personal friends' names on it, I'm not sure I can do alone so I'm glad Jane is going too.. Hard, just thinking about it. So long ago, but I see their faces.
Don, understandable. Not that I thinks it compares, I would not know, but that sounds much like when I visit a family / friends grave site.
Enjoy the pain. You are paying your brother's respect. Which is something I think they will appreciate. More so the standard "thank you for your service". A hollow phrase.
